About Dr. April Brown
Licensed Professional Counselor
Wellness Expert
Business Consultant
Hi! I’m Dr. April Brown. I help people and organizations prioritize mental health, elevate wellness, and embrace self-care—so they can thrive at work, in relationships, and in life.
Dr. April Brown offers wellness workshops, retreats, keynote speaking, and consulting to help individuals and organizations boost mental health and overall wellbeing. As a global mental health and wellness speaker, she has shared her expertise across continents. She is passionate about supporting employee well-being, stress management, burnout prevention, and workplace productivity. Her approach is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive, creating lasting change in both personal and professional settings.
She has worked with corporations, nonprofits, schools, colleges, universities, churches, and small businesses, designing customized strategies that make wellness practical and sustainable. Media outlets such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development (AMCD), Voyage ATL, CanvasRebel, Shoutout Atlanta, and Meet the Elite Podcast have featured Dr. Brown's work.
Our Mission
To help individuals and organizations achieve optimal wellness through wellness keynotes, workshops, retreats, and strategic consulting.
Our Vision
To equip individuals and organizations with personalized wellness solutions that support overall well-being, improve work-life balance, and restore peace of mind.
The Wellness Room began as a wellness initiative to support teachers and staff in a middle school, helping them prevent burnout and enhance employee wellness. Dr. Brown designed a safe, calming space for employees to reduce stress, practice self-care, and take intentional breaks. What started as a single room has evolved into a comprehensive wellness brand, offering keynotes, workshops, and retreats that empower individuals and organizations to thrive.
My Story
I'm Dr. April Brown, LPC, CPCS, NCC (she/her/hers), a California native and Atlanta transplant. I'm a trauma-focused CBT psychotherapist, solution-focused strategist, workplace well-being consultant, keynote speaker, and researcher. I founded The Wellness Room, LLC to create safe, healing spaces where individuals and organizations can prioritize mental health, elevate wellness, and embrace self-care at work and in life. My work bridges counseling practice, wellness innovation, and equity-driven research. I believe wellness should be accessible, inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive for all.
I began my counseling career over a decade ago in schools, driven by a deep curiosity about people and their stories. There, I witnessed the stress and burnout educators faced. Over time, I too experienced burnout and compassion fatigue. Then my supervisor asked me to lead a wellness initiative for staff. I designed a custom wellness room where employees could reduce stress and recharge. That project earned Kaiser Permanente's Thriving Schools Honor Roll Award in 2018, confirming my passion for creating practical solutions that bring wellness into everyday spaces.
In my therapy work, I noticed how often clients struggled to balance professional demands with their mental health. I saw work and wellness as deeply connected and integral to overall wellbeing. I expanded The Wellness Room beyond counseling to include corporate wellness workshops, retreats, and speaking engagements to meet this need. Today, I partner with individuals and organizations to reduce workplace stress, prevent burnout, improve communication, and strengthen psychological safety—reimagining what wellness can look like in a forty-hour work week.
My commitment to mental health, social justice, and advocacy drives my research. In 2024, I received the National Board of Certified Counselors Dissertation Excellence Award for my study on Black women counselor educators and racial trauma in the workplace. I continue to explore how race, gender, and equity shape mental health disparities, workplace wellbeing, and culturally responsive care. Beyond my professional work, I stay grounded in faith, family, food, and fitness. I also love traveling, practicing self-care, and spending time with my husband. For me, wellness is not a luxury—it's essential for people, workplaces, and communities.
The Journey
“Early Career Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Like many early-career educators, Dr. Brown poured her heart and soul into school counseling. She believed she had found her lifelong path. But she realized something had to change when stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue set in.
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“COVID-19 Pandemic, Loss, and The Shift
After navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, job loss, and a traumatic loss, Dr. Brown turned pain into purpose. She pursued her Ph.D. while simultaneously building her private practice—laying the foundation for her mission.”
“The Ah Ha Moment and Expansion
As Dr. Brown worked with clients, she noticed a recurring theme, wellness. Recognizing this gap, she enrolled in Operation HOPE’s Small Business Development Program for guidance and expanded her services to include wellness. ”
“The Power of the Pause
After expanding her practice, Dr. Brown chose to take a seven-month sabbatical, a much-needed pause to slow down, rest, and reconnect with herself. During this season of renewal, she began creating YouTube videos and her voice as a speaker began to take shape. Her journey led her across the globe, sharing her message in South Africa and Costa Rica, and planting the seeds for her next chapter.”
“Wellness, Research, and Advocacy
Building on her experiences as a professional counselor, wellness expert, researcher, and consultant, Dr. Brown is pioneering new approaches to workplace wellness while actively engaging in scholarly work. Her research interests span diversity and inclusion, social justice, global mental health, and African diaspora studies. Dr. Brown’s advocacy interests include promoting workplace safety and policy change to support racially and ethnically marginalized populations.”
Curriculum Vitae
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Research Associate – University of Pretoria – Pretoria, South Africa | Jan 2025 – Present
Research Publication – The Wellness Room LLC – Atlanta, GA | University of the Cumberlands – Williamsburg, KY | June 2026
Brown, A. D., Dean, L. M., & Lyons, M. (2026). Racial Trauma: Experiences of Black Women Counselor Educators. The Professional Counselor, 16(2), 79-95. https://doi:10.15241/adb.16.2.79
Postdoctoral Research – The Wellness Room LLC – Atlanta, GA | University of the Cumberlands – Williamsburg, KY | July 2024 – June 2026
Brown, A., D., Dean, L. M., & Lyons, M. (2024). Racial Trauma: Experiences of Black Women Counselor Educators. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. The Professional Counselor.
Dissertation Research – University of the Cumberlands – Williamsburg, Kentucky | Jan 2022 – Apr 2023
Brown, A. D. (2023). Lived experiences of Black women counselor educators mitigating experiences of racial trauma in the workplace. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of the Cumberlands.
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Adjunct Faculty – Liberty University – VA | Sept 2019 – Jul 2023
Doctoral Intern – Adler Graduate School – MN | Aug 2021 – Dec 2021
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Licensed Professional Counselor -The Wellness Room LLC - GA | Jan 2021 - Present
Doctoral Intern –American Counseling Association – GA | Motivo Health – CA | Jan 2022 – Apr 2022
Mental Health Counselor – INVO Progressus – FL | Atlanta Public Schools – GA | Nov 2019 – Mar 2020
School Counselor – Fulton County Schools – GA | Jul 2017 – Aug 2019
Student Engagement Coach – Dekalb County School District – GA | Aug 2016 – Jun 2017
Student Support Specialist – Dekalb County School District – GA | Aug 2015 – July 2016
School Counselor – Bibb County School District – GA | July 2014 – Aug 2015
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Ph.D., Counseling – University of the Cumberlands
Dissertation: Lived Experiences of Black Women Counselor Educators Mitigating Experiences of Racial Trauma in the Workplace.MSED., School Counseling – Fort Valley State University
Ed.S., School Counseling – Fort Valley State University
B.A., Psychology – Fort Valley State University
A.S., Psychology – Georgia Perimeter College
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Brown, A. D. (2026). Conflict Resolution & Communication. Research-informed workshop delivered at White Cap, Doraville, GA.
Brown, A. D. (2026). Burnout Prevention. Research-informed workshop delivered at Morris Brown College Summer Faculty Institute, Atlanta, GA.
Brown, A. D. (2026). The Psychology of Engagement: A faculty development workshop on student engagement and persistence. Research-informed workshop delivered at Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA.
Brown, A. D. (2025). Headspace and Hustle: What psychology teaches us about leadership, conflict, and culture. Research-informed lecture presented at Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA.
Brown, A. D. (2025). Healing in community: Group counseling for racial trauma in Black women. Research presented at Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA.
Brown, A. D. & Shanks, D. (2025). HerStory: Honoring Your Past, Embracing Your Present, & Elevating Your Wellness. Workshop presented at Black Mental Wellness Corp, (virtual).
Brown, A. D. (2025). Women’s History Month Celebration. Delivered a community-based presentation at Gillem Community Church, Morrow, GA.
Brown, A. D. (2024). The Black Experience in America: A Tapestry of Triumph and Struggle. Research presented at University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Brown, A. D. (2024). Self-love: I can love me better. Workshop presented at the Wanderlust Wellness Retreat, Belen, Costa Rica.
Brown, A. D. (2024). Coping vs. Healing: Black girl depression. Delivered a research-informed presentation for a YouTube collaboration targeting an audience of Black women (virtual).
Brown, A. D. (2023). Expanding counseling practice beyond traditional therapy. Delivered a professional presentation to licensed counselors at Lean In. MAKE BANK (virtual).
Clark, J., Dosal-Terminal, D., & Brown, A. D. (2022). Voter suppression and the counseling profession: A call to action. Workshop presented at the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (virtual).
Brown, A. D. (2022). Workplace Communication Training. Facilitated a research-informed training for employees at Village Micro Fund, Carrolton, GA.
Brown, A. D. (2021). 2021 Ladies Hiking Retreat. Delivered a wellness keynote with a local mental health advocate to support women’s mental health, Atlanta, GA.
Moore, T., & Brown, A. D. (2013). Orange Duffle Bag Foundation: Advocates challenges and successes. Research presentation at a cultural diversity conference hosted by Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA.
Brown, A. D. (2013). Post-graduation career pathways for psychology students. Delivered a research-informed presentation to undergraduate psychology students at Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA.
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Graduate Student Mentor – The Wellness Room LLC – GA | 2024 – Present
Companion Mentor – Northside Hospital – GA | 2022 – Present
Mentor – Black Mental Wellness Corp – GA | 2024 – 2025
Career Fair Assistant Coordinator – Houston County High School – GA | 2014
School Counselor Support – Kay Road Elementary – GA | 2012
Summer Camp Counselor – Boys and Girls Club – GA | 2012
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) – GA | #LPC010747 | 2019 – 2026
Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) – GA | #1854 | 2021 – 2028
National Certified Counselor (NCC) | #846353 | 2020 – 2030
Certified School Counselor – GA | #1305703| 2014 – 2029
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Dissertation Excellence Award (Qualitative category) – National Board for Certified Counselors | 2024
Thriving Schools Honor Roll Award – Kaiser Permanente | 2018
Graduate Assistant – Fort Valley State University | 2012 – 2014
Graduated Cum Laude – Fort Valley State University | 2012 – 2014
Honors Convocation Honoree – Fort Valley State University | 2010 – 2011
Dean’s List – Georgia Perimeter College | 2010
Student of the Semester – Georgia Perimeter College | 2010
Hope Scholar – Augusta State University | 2006
A Closer Look at Me
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I help individuals and organizations prioritize mental health and wellness because I've seen firsthand how stress, burnout, and lack of self-care can impact overall wellbeing. My mission is to empower people to thrive in their work, relationships, and life, enabling them to achieve optimal wellness.
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I combine evidence-based practices, a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach to help individuals and organizations prioritize mental health, elevate wellness, and embrace self-care. Each strategy is tailored to reduce stress, prevent burnout, and compassion fatigue.
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I’m proud of the transformation and impact my clients experience after working with me. Watching them reclaim joy, build confidence, and achieve work-life balance is the most rewarding part of my work. Personally, I’m most proud of my grit, determination, and resilience.
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I know life can feel stressful and overwhelming, and prioritizing mental health and wellness is challenging. My goal is to provide guidance, tools, and support that make wellness accessible, inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive for all.
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I prioritize mindfulness, journaling, and self-care activities like reading, nature walks, and enjoying a hot cup of coffee to stay energized and focused. I believe small daily habits can make a big difference in supporting mental health and overall well-being.
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I enjoy walking, line dancing, weight training, traveling, exploring cultural activities, and trying new recipes. Staying active and curious helps me bring fresh energy and creativity to my work.
Fun Facts about Dr. Brown
I am passionate about my faith, family, food, and fitness.
I am a devoted Christian, wife, sister, aunt, and friend.
I ate a vegan or plant-based diet for five and a half years.
I speak a little Spanish.
Pink is my favorite color.
I skydived at 14,000 feet and would do it again.
I am fascinated with the ocean and sharks.
I enjoy Christian contemporary and gospel music, along with lo-fi and ASMR for relaxation.
I took a seven-month sabbatical traveling the world solo in 2024.